Sisters Ingrid and Lisa Longoria along with their mother Lorena Longoria watch a battery-operated TV in the dark after the lights went out around 8 p.m. in Pearland as Hurricane Ike approaches the Galveston coast. less

Sisters Ingrid and Lisa Longoria along with their mother Lorena Longoria watch a battery-operated TV in the dark after the lights went out around 8 p.m. in Pearland as Hurricane Ike approaches the Galveston ... more

Waves crashing into the Seawall reach over the memorial to the hurricane of 1900 as Hurricane Ike slams Galveston.

Waves crashing into the Seawall reach over the memorial to the hurricane of 1900 as Hurricane Ike slams Galveston.

Photo: Johnny Hanson, Chronicle

Waves crashing into the Seawall reach over the memorial to the... Photo-1430673.24452 - Houston Chronicle

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Surfside Beach officers look over the shoulder of a meteorologist from The Weather Channel while he takes wind readings on Highway 332 as gusty winds began to show force during Hurricane Ike's arrival.

Surfside Beach officers look over the shoulder of a meteorologist from The Weather Channel while he takes wind readings on Highway 332 as gusty winds began to show force during Hurricane Ike's arrival.

Manchester resident Stephanie Hernandez packs up clothes to leave her Manchester home while her daughter Jordan Martinez, 3, watches. They will ride out the storm at her grandfather's house along Lockwood instead of staying so close to the Houston Ship Channel. less

Manchester resident Stephanie Hernandez packs up clothes to leave her Manchester home while her daughter Jordan Martinez, 3, watches. They will ride out the storm at her grandfather's house along Lockwood ... more

Fabian Arcizo Jr. helps his father Fabian Arcizo cut branches near power lines. They plan to ride out the storm in their house in Manchester, which sits near the Houston Ship Channel. Residents say it has never flooded bad enough for them to evacuate, but some are not taking chances as Hurricane Ike approaches the Texas coastline. less

Fabian Arcizo Jr. helps his father Fabian Arcizo cut branches near power lines. They plan to ride out the storm in their house in Manchester, which sits near the Houston Ship Channel. Residents say it has ... more